Slain Woman Mourned on Randolf Road

A memorial of flowers and candles has been placed alongside Nativity statues of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus outside of the public housing unit on Randolf Road where Yolanda Morales lived.

Inside, Yolanda’s mother – apparently surrounded by grieving friends and family – was still in shock and did not wish to talk to reporters, according to a cousin of the slain 23-year-old who answered the door Tuesday afternoon.

Morales was mortally wounded early Sunday by one of 30 bullets fired during a chaotic gunfight on E. Third Street outside the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society, where a minor confrontation spilled out into the street and escalated to a gun battle, according to Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli.

Morales’ cousin described her as “smart” and “outgoing” with a bright future. She had recently completed course training to become a medical assistant, the cousin said.

Services for Morales will be held Saturday morning, the family member said.

Another memorial for Morales – with flowers and candles – remained Tuesday on E. Third Street near where she had been shot.

The investigation into the incident was still in progress. Morganelli said Monday that he was confident that arrests in the homicide will be made by the end of the week. The two main shooters in the gunfight were being hospitalized in serious or critical condition.